The National tribune., 1887-02-10


TRIBUNE OF Dec. 80, 1886, il appears that even
nj this late day. regardless OF facts and Of official
reports, there are uniformed people who are
deluded with the idea that to the Sixth Corps
belongs the credit Of the victory Of Sheridan
at Cedar Creek in 1864 II seems hardly posi-
BILE that person who was actually present could
make the statements in the article referred 10,
and for fair and impartial account ofthe action
the reading of Ponds Shenandoah Valley in
1864" published by the Scribners, is recon-
mended
Gen. ]. NJ. Comley, 23d Ohio, in March,
1855, published an excellent account of the
battle, particularly of the part taken by Crooks
command and the left of the Nineteenth Corps,
and efectually answered and exposed the mis-
representations made at the time Of the battle
by correspondents who were far from the left
of the line and ignorant of the true situation.
As further addition TO historical truth the
following facts are offered:
Instead of general surprise and flight so igno-
rantly charged, the truth is that many of the
Nineteenth Corps were under arms and in line
before the attack began. Capt. A. +. Tremaine,
in charge of the Nineteenth Corps ammunition
train, had been ordered the night before to
move the train the next morning at daylight,
and at daybreak was in the saddle aud had
hitched up by the time the fugitives from
Crooks command began
FALLING BACK ACROSS THE TURNPIKE.
Molineux's Brigade, Of Growers Division,
Nineteenth Corps had been ordered TO make
reconnaissance at daylight and were in line.
1t was the general custom of the Nineteenth
Corps 10 stand TO arms at daylight when in pres
ence Of the enemy, and the Both Mass, of the
First Brigade, First Division, on the extreme
right, had just stacked arms TO get breakfast,
still keeping on equipments, when firing was
heard on the left and Gen. Mcmillan, in tenn
porary command of the Division, rode up at a
gallop and ordered the line reformed and double
quicked into line Of battle at a right angle to
the line Of intrenchments and facing the left.
This ground the Both Mass, Hath N. Y. and
Goth n. Y, Of Col. Davis's Brigade, were ordered
10 hold as long as possible, and did so at heavy
loss, until the line Of Gordon Tapped around
their TANKS and il was necessary TO fall back
10 avoid capture.
Coming TO Meadow Brook the 30th Mass.
crossed il and became separated from the bri-
gade A few hundred yards back il came upon
the front of the Sixth Corps forming line, and
halted, facing the enemy. There was a large
gap in the Sixth Corps line, and an officer
riding forward invited the Both Mass. to move
into IT, which was done.
Gen. Wright rode up soon after, having what
looked like the mark of ball on the hip, and
ordered the line TO advance, but the Sixth
Corps appeared
UNWILLING TO MOVE.
An artillery officer who was with Gen. Wright,
finding solicitations useless, sprang to the front
with a guidon, and planting it about 25 feet
before the line urged the men 10 move for
ward and dress up on il. The 30th Mass. aligned
as upon dress parade, but the Sixth Corps regi-
ment upon its right still held back, and finally
the whole line was ordered to fall back. The
| temporarily attached Nineteenth Corps regi-
ment was not overwhelmed with admira-
| ton Of this exhibition of the way in which the
Sixth Corps did almost all the fighting" and
soon was recalled TO its own corps.
When Col. Davis, commanding First Brigade,
First Division, Nineteenth Corps went into the
Peach Orchard with his men, a Sixth Corps
officer rode up TO him and asked if he could
hold his position long enough TO enable the
Sixth Corps TO form line in his rear.
Hold it," said Col. Davis; "of course can
hold 1t. i have been trying all day to get
chance TO be allowed TO hold something"
A little later Sixth Corps General, with his
arm in sling, sent verbal message to the
| Peach Orchard:
"Please request the General in command to
hold his position short time longer, as we are
about 10 fall back TO a new line"
Col. Davis replied: ave are almost cut of
ammunition, but can protect the Sixth Corps
ried forward and Col. Davis kept his word I'M
der terrible fire from front aud flank.
When the final and victorious charge of the
day was made, the Both Mass held the extreme
right Of the Union infantry line Gordon's
flank was turned and Gen. Sheridan, coming
up,
STAYED WITH THE REGIMENT
several minutes. swung it around to the left
pointed out the direction in which he wished
pursuit made, and told the boys to keep the
| rebs on the jump.
Though Mcmillan reports, at halted my
command to wait for Gen. Custer 20 get into
position TO protect my right" the 30th Mass
heard no such orders and kept travelling to the
front. A rebel battery was followed SO closely
that it was loaded while moving. 1t made its
last stand close TO the bank of Meadow Brook
while the co!ors of the Both were crossing in
its face, and then went Off at gallop. men,
Der Of this battery and an officer of the Both
Mass. have met in Colorado. IL was this close
pursuit of the enemy by the Both that caused
Custer TO turn in his saddle and call out:
"D-n it, men, give 'em the spurs; the in
fantry are beating you'll"
After crossing the brook, and when nearly TO
the old line Of intrencbments we saw on our
right the line of Custer coming on and knew
that our work for the day was done. The
colOrs Of the 30th, having led the whole army
all the afternoon, were unfurled on the breast
works till the regiment was ordered TO 20 TO its
old camp about half a mile away.
In the evening the Nineteenth Corps was
complimented for its action through the day by
the sending Of Dwghts Division TO Hupp's
Hill in advance OF the army, and as a special
compliment to the 30th Mass. for its hard fight
ing and close following
ON TIE HEELS OF THE ENEMY,
that regiment was sent still farther in advance
TO the mill beyond Stmsburg, as extreme in.
fantry outpost aud guard for the cavalry head
quarters while the cavalry were absent in pur-
suit IL is stated upon good authority that a
part at least Of the Sixth Corps ammunition
train went 20 the rear in the morning so rapidly
and so far that it did not get back in time fol
the battle Of the afternoon, and that part. II
not all, of the Sixth Corps was supplied with
ammunition from the train Of the Nineteenth
Corps
, From the foregoing il appears that though
the enemy came upon the left flank and rear
, Of the Nineteenth Corps yet much of that
corps changed front, and all the morning was
fighting between the rebels and the Sixth Corps
In the afternoon il turned the rebel left flank
, and was in advance Of the whole army In the
: pursuit AT night il he'd the extreme infantry
E advance, and though a smaller corps its losse.
during the day were greater than those Of tn,
Sixth Corps.
, The above is a simple statement of fact,
, drawn out by repeated Misrepresentation tha
! have been published about the Nineteenth
Corps, and that are getting TO be rather tire